8 Canadian music memories from MuchMusic's Snow Job

by Caitlin Hotchkiss

March 11, 2014

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For most people, “spring break” conjures up images of warmer climes—sandy beaches, palm trees, blue water, that kind of thing. But for some brief, glorious years in the late ’90s and early 2000s, spring break meant something a lot different for Canadian music fans: MuchMusic Snow Job.

The evil geniuses at Much came up with the idea to hold an annual outdoor winter festival during the traditional March Break period in Canada, so instead of donning a bikini and getting a nice Miami tan, you could freeze your bits off at an outdoor resort in snowy BC while screaming along to some of your favourite Canadian rock bands. Sweet deal.

Since we’re in the March Break period now, we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane with our good friend YouTube to see what some of those past Snow Job performances looked like (as far as we know, no one died from frostbite). Chime in with your best, worst or other Snow Job memories in the comments.

 

The Pursuit Of Happiness – Snow Job ‘93

This was likely the very first Snow Job, held in Whistler way back in 1993. We’ve got all the grunge fashions going on here, from the ripped jeans to the long hair and frontman Moe Berg looking at least a little warm in a baggy white jacket (his visible breath while singing might say otherwise). Extra points for the retro giant Mountain Dew can advertisement, and check out the ’90s crowd—so much neon! All that said, The Pursuit Of Happiness sound pretty badass here, and it’s definitely worth a watch to hear something other than their megahit “I’m An Adult Now.”

 

Rusty – Snow Job ‘96

You can’t talk about ’90s CanRock without mentioning Rusty, who were huge at the time. In fact, the year they appeared at Snow Job—1996—their album Fluke was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Alternative Album. Here they are playing “Misogyny” from Fluke, and also looking super, super ’90s (white guy dreadlocks, anyone?). There are actually people skiing in the background here, presumably to add to the authenticity of the whole “let’s play a concert on a snowy mountain” thing. It’s also intercut with weird scenes of dudes horsing around in the snow, likely because everyone else in the audience looks really bored.

 

I Mother Earth – Snow Job ‘97

Now this is more like it. Check out the lit-up ski slopes and the excited crowds! No wonder, since in 1997, I Mother Earth were one of Canada’s biggest alternative rock bands, and “One More Astronaut” (from the previous summer’s Scenery And Fish) was huge. Here’s the hit single in all its live glory, complete with questionable band member hairstyles and drummer Christian Tanna wearing a #72 Mathieu Schneider Leafs jersey (if this Snow Job took place in BC, then that’s a magnificent bit of trolling). And bongos! Because of course, there were bongos. Also, watch Edwin rock an extended cowbell solo. WARNING: IME tend to noodle on for a while (they’re basically Canada’s own jam band), which is why the above video is six minutes long.

 

Big Wreck – Snow Job ‘98

Another Snow Job taking place at Sun Peaks Resort in Kamloops, BC featured Big Wreck, as you’ll be able to tell by the hilarious retro bubble font announcing their name in the first 20 seconds of this video. Frontman Ian Thornley oozes proto-hipster cool in a leather jacket and sunglasses, and the sound is surprisingly good for playing hard rock on a mountain rather than a club.

Here’s a bonus low-quality interview with Big Wreck from Snow Job ’98, talking about the band’s history, commenting on the scenery, and discussing the “pseudo-Celtic vibe” of their music:

“Is this as high as you’ve got?” “Heh heh heh.”

 

The Moffatts – Snow Job ‘99

As introduced by Rick the Temp in an ill-fitting toque and Cyclops sunglasses, The Moffatts are greeted by shrieking girls at Snow Job ’99 in Jasper, AB. In case you may have blocked it out of your memory, the turn of the century was high time for the popularity of boy bands; Canada was no different, and this was our answer to…Hanson? Probably Hanson. And hey, another drummer wearing Leafs paraphernalia! We have a pattern, people.

Some intrepid Moffatts fans at “MoffattsVideoHQ” also put up this Snow Job interview (including the boys trying to snowboard and failing in moderate degrees):

 

Our Lady Peace – Snow Job 2001

What would 2001 be without CanRock festival darlings Our Lady Peace? Snow Job 2001 at Sun Peaks featured the boys playing some of what was then brand-new material, off of their 2001 album Spiritual Machines. Bonus points for Nam interviewing Canadian actor Brenden Fehr at the beginning. All of the minus points for Raine Maida’s shirt. (I have it on good authority that it was cold as hell during that set, which is likely why everybody onstage is bundled up to the nines. Multiple pairs of snow pants? Sure, why not, we’re Canadian.)

Tags: Film + TV, Cancon, Lists, News, Big Wreck, canrock, MuchMusic, Our Lady Peace, pursuit of happiness, rusty, snowjob, The Moffatts

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